Tour of Tables: Hilarious Anita Renfroe to share 'Momism' wisdom

Comedienne Anita Renfroe plans on serving up a big helping of laughter at The Pensacola Tour of Tables during her two appearances at First Baptist Church on Sept. 23.

Anita is best known for her "Mom's Song," a clever 3-minute compilation of all the things a mom might say to her children in a day, sung to the tune of the "William Tell Overture.''

Her 2008 You Tube video of "Momisms" has the distinction of being the first to go viral because it was shared by women mostly over the age of 30. Prior to the video, women those ages generally shared links by email.

The song's popularity propelled Anita's blossoming career from faith-based audiences to appearances on Good Morning America, CNBC, Fox and Friends, Dr. Phil and other major network programming.

She has performed twice at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and starred with actor Ryan Stiles and the late Dixie Carter in a comedy television series that wasn't picked up by a network before Dixie's death in 2010.

Anita tours with the Women of Faith conference and is the author of a number of books, including, "The Purse-Driven Life" and "Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Kids, Carbs and the Coming Hormonal Apocalypse."

"Fanitas" flock to her ongoing comedy concerts to giggle at her slightly skewed observations of all things women and her pop culture musical parodies.

Recently, we chatted it up with Anita by phone:

• Bella: Your fans are called Fanitas?

• Anita: Yes. I wish that got me better service at Starbucks. I wish it was worth something. I am thankful that people are interested. Social networking has allowed that to be something real. It used to be that you couldn't connect with someone until you came to their town. Now, it's great that we can be connected a little more regularly.

• Bella: Give us a description of a Fanita? Who is she?

• Anita, (laughing): Well, she is willing to part with a little bit of money I guess, to get the "free'' mug — I'm doing air quotes right now.

She is someone who realizes her need for Vitamin "L" — you know, laughter. And, this is my prayer, they have found that my life seems similar to theirs because of the things that I talk about on stage. They are just a little bit crazier than regular women, I think, and they're not afraid to let their freak flags fly.

• Bella: After "Mom's Song'' came out you appeared on "Good Morning America.'' What was that experience like for you?

• Anita: Well, it's very weird to be eating your bagel watching "Good Morning America'' in your house one week, and the next week be on it. That was a little surreal. The Mom song was like my hot pocket, apparently something that a lot of people identified with, kind of like Jeff Foxworthy's, "You might be a Redneck ..."

I almost can't do a concert without doing it (Mom song). People get angry if I don't do it. It's like my Free Bird."

I am really thankful. It was an interesting moment, and I had a lot of great opportunities because of that.

• Bella: You're also known for your hilarious pop culture musical parodies. Where does the inspiration come from to write the lyrics to those songs — like Beyonce's and Carrie Underwood's — two hot names right now?

• Anita: I always am just thinking in my life the more realistic version of that song. I always parody the videos too, because I think they're begging for it — let's be honest. So, instead of "all the single ladies," for me it's, "all the wrinkled ladies ... cause I like it, but I should have put some cream on it."

It's kind of the point of my comedy in general. They are all just reports of my life and amazingly it seems to resonate with other people, too. That's always a surprise and a blessing.

I would rather it be something people identify with than hear people say, "you're the hippest comic and that's nothing like my life."

• Bella: What does a comedienne talk about at a Tour of Tables at a Baptist church?

• Anita: I hate to tip anybody off, but, the tables themselves are ripe for the picking, depending on what the themes are. I mean some women, let's be honest, go all Martha Stewart on steroids. And some women, just show up and put out some odd china and you know, they don't really try that hard. So, believe me, there will be plenty to talk about just with the tables and the hierarchy — the pecking order — that occurs at the event itself.

Pensacola, being a beach town, there's plenty to talk about there. We'll do some crazy comedy. I've got a whole hour of brand new material. We just taped a new DVD so I can't wait to get out on the road and do some of that. I'll be sharp. I'll be on point. People need to come expecting hot, fresh new comedy.